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Chevrolet Malibu vs. Toyota Corolla

iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Chevrolet Malibu and Toyota Corolla contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Chevrolet Malibu and the Toyota Corolla.

When comparing the Chevrolet Malibu's and the Toyota Corolla's specifications and ratings, the Chevrolet Malibu has the advantage in the area of interior volume. The Toyota Corolla has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, reliability, resale value, overall quality score and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Chevrolet Malibu's and the Toyota Corolla's specifications and ratings, the Toyota Corolla is a better car than the Chevrolet Malibu.

Pricing: A used 2024 Chevrolet Malibu ranges from $22,474 to $30,382 while a used 2024 Toyota Corolla is priced between $21,997 to $28,247. For a new model, the Chevrolet Malibu's price is between $23,071 and $31,796, with the Toyota Corolla priced between $22,800 and $28,407.

Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Chevrolet Malibu loses 43.7 percent of its value and the Toyota Corolla loses 26.3 percent of its value. This means the Toyota Corolla retains 17.4 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Chevrolet Malibu.

Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Chevrolet Malibu is 8.2 out of 10 while the Toyota Corolla's quality rating is 9.1 out of 10. This results in the Chevrolet Malibu being ranked 11 out of 13 Best Midsize Cars and the Toyota Corolla being ranked 4 out of 43 Best Small Cars.

Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Chevrolet Malibu is 8.2 out of 10. For the Toyota Corolla the reliability rating is 8.5 out of 10. This gives the Toyota Corolla a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Chevrolet Malibu.

Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Chevrolet Malibu’s base engine makes 163 horsepower, and the Toyota Corolla base engine makes 169 horsepower.

Passenger Space Comparison: The Chevrolet Malibu, a midsize car, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, rear head room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The Toyota Corolla, a compact car, has the advantage in the area of front leg room.

Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, the Toyota Corolla has higher safety ratings than the Chevrolet Malibu, with an average rating of 5 out of 5 Stars compared to 4.30 out of 5 Stars.

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Model & Pricing
Chevrolet Malibu
Toyota Corolla

2024 Chevrolet Malibu
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Chevrolet Malibu for Sale

2024 Toyota Corolla
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Toyota Corolla for Sale

New Car Pricing

Asking Price:

$23,071 - $31,796

Starting MSRP:

$24,700

Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize Cars)

$26,143

Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize Cars)

$24,700 - $27,895

New Car Pricing

Asking Price:

$22,800 - $28,407

Starting MSRP:

$22,050

Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)

$26,555

Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)

$17,795 - $45,665

Used Car Pricing

Avg Used Car Price:

$25,951

Price Range:

$22,474 - $30,382

Category Avg Price:
(Midsize Cars)

$29,305

Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize Cars)

$25,951 - $31,688

# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:

2,045

Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:

6,233

# Good or Great Deals:

361

Used Car Pricing

Avg Used Car Price:

$24,802

Price Range:

$21,997 - $28,247

Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)

$28,855

Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)

$19,171 - $47,673

# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:

5,203

Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:

3,368

# Good or Great Deals:

158

5-year Depreciation

Depreciation $:

$10,980

Depreciation %:

44.5%

Resale Value $:

$13,720

Residual Value %:

55.5%

Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Midsize Cars)

37.2%

Category Depreciation Range:
(Midsize Cars)

32.1% - 45.7%

5-year Depreciation

Depreciation $:

$5,999

Depreciation %:

27.2%

Resale Value $:

$16,051

Residual Value %:

72.8%

Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Compact Cars)

31.6%

Category Depreciation Range:
(Compact Cars)

24.4% - 40.1%

Chevrolet Malibu Scores & Rankings

Overall Score:

8.2 / 10

Reliability:

8.2 / 10

Retained Value:

7.8 / 10

Safety:

8.6 / 10

Toyota Corolla Scores & Rankings

Overall Score:

9.1 / 10

Reliability:

8.5 / 10

Retained Value:

8.9 / 10

Safety:

10.0 / 10



iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Chevrolet Malibu

Avg Life Expectancy (years):

9.5

Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Midsize Cars)

10.1

Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Midsize Cars)

9.5 - 13

Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:

7%

iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Toyota Corolla

Avg Life Expectancy (years):

11.6

Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)

11.2

Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)

10.1 - 13.6

Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:

20.9%



Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls

Expected Lifetime Recalls:

1.7

Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)

3.3

Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)

1.7 - 15.5

Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls

Expected Lifetime Recalls:

2.6

Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)

2.9

Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)

2 - 18.8

Chevrolet Malibu Rankings

Most Affordable Midsize Cars

1 / 9

Best Midsize Cars for the Money

3 / 6

Best Midsize Cars Under $25k

5 / 5

Best Gas Mileage Midsize Cars

6 / 13

Most Reliable Midsize Cars

6 / 13

Midsize Cars with the Most Legroom

7 / 13

Best Midsize Cars for Tall People

8 / 13

Most Comfortable Midsize Cars

9 / 13

Best Midsize Cars

11 / 13

Midsize Cars with Best Resale Value

12 / 13

Safest Midsize Cars

12 / 13

Midsize Cars with the Most Horsepower

13 / 13

Toyota Corolla Rankings

Best Family Small Cars

1 / 43

Best Small Cars Under $25k

2 / 13

Most Reliable Small Cars

3 / 43

Best Small Cars

4 / 43

Safest Small Cars

4 / 43

Best Small Cars for the Money

5 / 13

Best Gas Mileage Small Cars

6 / 43

Small Cars with Best Resale Value

7 / 43

Most Affordable Small Cars

11 / 24

Small Cars with the Most Horsepower

20 / 43

Small Cars with the Most Legroom

20 / 43

Most Comfortable Small Cars

26 / 43

Best Small Cars for Tall People

35 / 43

Available Body Styles

Sedan

Available Body Styles

Sedan

Available Drivetrain Options

Gasoline

Available Drivetrain Options

Gasoline

Chevrolet Malibu Trim Levels

LS, LS Fleet, LT, RS

Toyota Corolla Trim Levels

LE, Nightshade, SE, XSE

Warranty Information

Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:

3 years / 36000 miles

Warranty, Powertrain:

5 years / 60000 miles

Warranty, Roadside Assistance:

5 years / 60000 miles

Warranty Information

Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:

3 years / 36000 miles

Warranty, Powertrain:

5 years / 60000 miles

Warranty, Roadside Assistance:

2 years

Safety Ratings

NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):

4.30 out of 5 Stars

2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:

4 out of 5 Stars

2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:

5 out of 5 Stars

2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:

5 out of 5 Stars

2024 NHTSA Rollover Rating:

4 out of 5 Stars

IIHS Safety Rating:

Not yet available

Safety Ratings

NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):

5 out of 5 Stars

2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:

4 out of 5 Stars

2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:

5 out of 5 Stars

2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:

5 out of 5 Stars

2024 NHTSA Rollover Rating:

4 out of 5 Stars

IIHS Safety Rating:

Not yet available

Base Drivetrain Specs

Horsepower:

163 hp @ 5700 rpm

Torque:

184 foot-lbs @ 2500 rpm

Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):

0.052 hp per pound

Base Drivetrain Specs

Horsepower:

169 hp @ 6600 rpm

Torque:

151 foot-lbs @ 4400 rpm

Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):

0.057 hp per pound

Engine Specifications

Engine Size:

1.5 liters

Engine Configuration:

Inline

Number of Cylinders:

4

Transmission:

Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT Automatic)

Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:

FWD

EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):


Not yet available

Range (city/hwy):

Not yet available

Recommended Fuel Type:

Not yet available

Engine Specifications

Engine Size:

2 liters

Engine Configuration:

Inline

Number of Cylinders:

4

Transmission:

Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT Automatic)

Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:

FWD

EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):


32 / 41 / 35

Range (city/hwy):

422 / 541 miles

Recommended Fuel Type:

Regular Unleaded

Standard/Optional Features

Alloy wheels:

Standard

Android Auto:

Standard

Apple CarPlay:

Standard

Bench Seats:

Standard

Bluetooth:

Standard

Keyless Entry:

Standard

Keyless Ignition:

Standard

Navigation System:

Standard

Power Lift Gate:

Standard

Power outlet:

Standard

Roadside assistance:

Standard

Voice Recognition:

Standard

Wifi:

Standard

Adaptive Cruise Control:

Available

Automatic Parking:

Available

Cooled/Ventilated Seats:

Available

Heated Seats

Available

Heated Steering Wheel:

Available

Internet Radio:

Available

Leather Upholstery:

Available

Parking Sensors:

Available

Satellite radio:

Available

Sunroof/Moonroof:

Available

Wireless Smartphone Charging:

Available

Air Suspension:

N/A

Captain's seat:

N/A

Front Bench Seats:

N/A

Massage Seats:

N/A

Paddle Shifters:

N/A

Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof

N/A

Quad Seats:

N/A

Roof Rack:

N/A

Trailer Hitch:

N/A

Standard/Optional Features

Alloy wheels:

Available

Android Auto:

Standard

Apple CarPlay:

Standard

Bench Seats:

Standard

Bluetooth:

Standard

Keyless Entry:

Standard

Keyless Ignition:

Available

Navigation System:

Available

Power Lift Gate:

N/A

Power outlet:

Standard

Roadside assistance:

Standard

Voice Recognition:

Standard

Wifi:

Standard

Adaptive Cruise Control:

Standard

Automatic Parking:

N/A

Cooled/Ventilated Seats:

N/A

Heated Seats

Available

Heated Steering Wheel:

N/A

Internet Radio:

Standard

Leather Upholstery:

Available

Parking Sensors:

N/A

Satellite radio:

Standard

Sunroof/Moonroof:

Available

Wireless Smartphone Charging:

Available

Air Suspension:

N/A

Captain's seat:

N/A

Front Bench Seats:

N/A

Massage Seats:

N/A

Paddle Shifters:

Available

Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof

N/A

Quad Seats:

N/A

Roof Rack:

N/A

Trailer Hitch:

N/A

Safety Features

Backup camera:

Standard

Forward Collision Warning:

Standard

Lane Departure Warning:

Standard

Lane Keeping Assist:

Standard

Pedestrian Detection:

Standard

Rear Seat Reminder:

Standard

360-Degree Camera:

N/A

Blind Spot Monitoring:

N/A

Driver Attention Monitoring:

N/A

Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:

N/A

Safety Features

Backup camera:

Standard

Forward Collision Warning:

Standard

Lane Departure Warning:

Standard

Lane Keeping Assist:

Standard

Pedestrian Detection:

Standard

Rear Seat Reminder:

Standard

360-Degree Camera:

N/A

Blind Spot Monitoring:

Available

Driver Attention Monitoring:

N/A

Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:

Available

Interior Dimensions

Front Head Room:

39.1 inches

Front Leg Room:

41.5 inches

Front Shoulder Room:

58.5 inches

Rear Head Room:

37.5 inches

Rear Leg Room:

38.1 inches

Rear Shoulder Room:

57.1 inches

Cargo Space:

15.7 cubic feet

Overall Interior Volume:

102.9 cubic feet

Interior Dimensions

Front Head Room:

38.3 inches

Front Leg Room:

42 inches

Front Shoulder Room:

54 inches

Rear Head Room:

37.1 inches

Rear Leg Room:

34.8 inches

Rear Shoulder Room:

51.7 inches

Cargo Space:

13.1 cubic feet

Overall Interior Volume:

88.6 cubic feet

Exterior Dimensions

Curb Weight:

3135 lbs

Width:

73 inches

Height:

57.9 inches

Length:

194.2 inches

Wheelbase:

111.4 inches

Ground Clearance:

Not yet available

Exterior Dimensions

Curb Weight:

2955 lbs

Width:

70.1 inches

Height:

56.5 inches

Length:

182.3 inches

Wheelbase:

106.3 inches

Ground Clearance:

5.3 inches

Standard Wheel/Tire Information

Wheel Size:

16.0 x 7.5 inches

Wheel Type:

aluminum alloy

Tire Size:

P205/65R16

Standard Wheel/Tire Information

Wheel Size:

16.0 x 7.0 inches

Wheel Type:

steel

Tire Size:

P205/55R16

Exterior Colors

Black

Mosaic Black Metallic

Blue

Lakeshore Blue Metallic

Gray

Mineral Gray Metallic / Sterling Gray Metallic

White

Summit White

Red

Not available

Silver

Not available

Exterior Colors

Black

Midnight Black Metallic

Blue

Blueprint

Gray

Celestite / Underground

White

Ice Cap / Wind Chill Pearl

Red

Ruby Flare Pearl

Silver

Classic Silver Metallic

Interior Colors

Black

Jet Black

Gray

Dark Atmosphere/Medium Ash Gray

Beige

Not available

Interior Colors

Black

Black

Gray

Light Gray

Beige

Macadamia/Mocha

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